NBC's Meredith Vieira Leaving 'Today' Show Next Month

By Staff | May 9, 2011 | 8:50 AM EDT

New York (AP) - Meredith Vieira says she is leaving NBC's "Today" show next month, and Ann Curry will replace her as host.

The turnover at television's top-rated morning show was anticipated. Vieira replaced Katie Couric five years ago, and has talked about wanting to spend more time with her family. Her husband, author Richard M. Cohen, wrote a best-selling book about coping with multiple sclerosis and colon cancer.

Curry is well-known to "Today" viewers. She has been with the show since 1997 as the news anchor. Natalie Morales, another familiar face to the show's fans, will become the regular newsreader.